First full day in Thailand

On Friday January 31, 2014 we had the privilege of going to the Fashion Island Mall located just outside of Bangkok.  It is a very nice mall near the hotel we were staying in.  Here we were able to see our first Dairy Queen!  I know right, you can take the girl outta the country but you can't take the country outta the girl.

Then we seen our first Payless Shoe.  Not that it is a big thing to my family, but it is something from home and we were glad to see it as we walked through the mall. I honestly don't know when I have shopped at Payless last.  Not that I dislike them, just haven't been shoe shopping.   

The best part about this mall was their bathrooms.  I know you must be thinking this lady is crazy.  I haven't fallen off my rocker yet.  But, I witnessed a toilet like I had never seen before.  I did not try any of this toilets features, but I was very scared when I sat down and the seat was heated.  It was very warm. I think if you were there for any length of time it could of toasted your buns.  (Hehehe)

I know it doesn't look very fancy, but it is! 

Instructions that hung on the door.

Then the remote up close and personal.  

I just can't help but laugh.  This was a perfect welcome for my family.  We have found tons of weird signs and toilets while living here.  But, we will safe it for another time.  Maybe a toilet post only.  That would be a good one to lift your spirits or at least cause one to laugh.  XOXO 

Joyfully,

Jamie

Welcome to Thailand...

     When we arrived at our hotel we were pleasantly surprised.  It was decorated with Welcome Signs along with snacks and drinks galore.  The A's are so amazing.  They thought of everything from finding out from my sister what our favorites are, to giving us some of their families favorites that they like here in Thailand, and even some good toilet paper and paper towels.  Pure greatness.

This is our country's flag. 

My family enjoy's these little beauties from time to time.  Sometimes during church.  

ssshh don't tell anyone. 

Cute cards from "The Babies" thats what The A's call their two youngest.

Look at this organization!  It just thrilled my soul to see it so amazingly set up. 

Seriously what more could you ask for.  

This may be my new favorite treat.  Lemon Cream Filled Ritz Crackers.  Mmmm very good

This little letter was priceless!  Miss Faith enjoyed it the most.  But, the rest of us were so thrilled to see a personalized note with love and excitement in it.  Thanks for taking such good care of us.  We are forever in debt to the A's for all their love and assistance.  

Departure Day Part 3

This is the final blog on our Departure Day.

    I would like to thank DFW for the updated, totally awesome, absolutely amazing, wonderfully created, beautiful Terminal D! Wow! It was so cool to see that at our gate (which our family could see) this huge candy store called Natalie's Candy Jar! I needed that also. I loved the bright vibrant colors, cool decorations, really neat candy that they had.  Mary I could totally see us owning something like that.  (I know it's wishful thinking, but man it's cool). Not only was there a huge big screen with shows, advertisements, and information on it, there was a huge touch screen right by us where it will help you find anything and everything you could possibly want.  Yes, terminal D had it all.  

    I would like to thank the little snack store nearby for carrying Dramamine. Once I got to my seat I still didn't feel so hot.  So, Brian and the kids went to venture around the terminal and was able to bring me some kids chewable Dramamine with a Cherry Pepsi to sip on.  Wouldn't you know it worked like a champ.  Totally settled my tummy and nerves.  

    Since breakfast from What-A-Burger was not as great as we had hoped for.  I would like to think Auntie Anne's for there amazingly delicious mini pigs in a blanket, their pepperoni pretzel that Faith loved and their cinnamon and sugar pretzel that Hudson and daddy loved also.  I'm not sure Brian bought the mini pigs for me.  But, he ate a few then told me how awesome they were, then passed me the cup. I didn't pass it back I inhaled them.  

Loading, taxi, takeoff, and in flight-

    So, we get on the plane and we are 2 rows behind the Prestige Class right at the front of the plane.  It was not a full plane so Faith and I shared 3 seats and so did Brian and Hudson.  Grandpa Doug was correct.  Not very big area to relax, since we didn't get the big plane with the staircase our seats just reclined but not into a bed.  Meaning our feet didn't go up at all.  So, we would get up and walk back and fourth to the bathroom quite a bit.  

    Taxiing and take off was super smooth. However, we didn't know that we must preselect our meals.  So, we got whatever they offered us.  Needless to say the food was not so great.  This first flight from DFW to Seoul S Korea was 15 hours.  I slept a lot.  Brian said he cat napped, and the kids did not sleep at all.  We had little to no turbulence on this flight.  It was great all the way.  Just the food was lacking.  

     So, when we landed in Seoul we were starving.  We had a 3 hour layover.  We went through customs, found our terminal and sat all our carry-on stuff down.  Went to the restroom in shifts to freshen up, and get ready for the next flight.  When we were done with the potty we learned that they changed our terminal.  So, we gathered everything back up and headed to the new terminal.  In route Brian spotted a Subway.  So, after we sat all our stuff down he ran over and ordered us all a sandwich.  Which is quite funny in itself.  Because while we were traveling on deputation we found our meal of choice to be a nice deli.  My husband despised subway.  Well, lets be honest if you put the same toppings on any of their sandwiches they really all taste similar.  So, that was just comical that we were excited to see and purchase Subway.  We saved it to eat once we got on the plane.  After we all ate everyone of us crashed.  We all slept 90% of this last flight which was a 6 hour flight.  Not good on the legs once you land.  Brian and I could hardly get our shoes on because our ankles and feet were swollen.  But, we managed. 

Upon landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (which by the way is pronounced like Suwanpoon- I will write about that later) we gathered our carry ons and headed to immigration.  Super smooth! No problems and I was just praying Lord, this has been a smooth thing all the way around please don’t let us have an issue in customs when it comes to getting all this stuff into the country of Thailand.  Even though we checked to make sure it was all approved items prior to arriving.  So, the kids and I head to the conveyor belt where the bags are coming off of and Brian heads to the far left where they have these huge carts you can use for free.  I began hossing all our items off the belt.  To find we were missing 1 bag and I thought great, here is our first of many issues to come.  I walked around the humongous conveyor belt and there it laid perfect and all in tact with its flourscent pink tape wrapped around the handle along with the bag number.  I quickly grabbed it and notified Brian that we had all our bags.  Now, to just get through customs and on to find our friends.  (More about them in a moment.)

     Brian wheeled this monster of a cart with all of our lively hood on it over to customs.  The guy looked at it and in thai said something to the lady standing with him.  He told Brian ok go on through.  All he did was squeeze one hand on one of the duffle bags and didn't even bother opening 1 or asking us any questions.  Welcome to Thailand! 

Now the hurdle for this evening is how are we suppose to wheel this cart around while we look for our friends The A’s.  (For their safety and ministry we will call them The A’s. Just so you know they are a very precious family.  We have known them since Brian and Mr. A were in bible college together.  Mrs. A and I became friends on their many furloughs to the states where I was able to keep a Little A periodically.)  Brian parked the kids and I at Gate 10 while we went to go find them and then he would come back for the kids and I as well as the monster.  Sure enough Brian was gone for like 30 minutes.  I began to stress. Realizing I just let the directionally challenged person in our family leave us in the Worlds Largest Airport.  Yes, my heart was racing and then all of a sudden I see his Texas Rangers hat.  Whew! A sigh of relief.  Not knowing wether he found the A’s or not.  I was just glad he was back with me. However, he did find them and now we must push this monster from gate 10 all the way to Gate 3.  Quite a ways to push just a small cart, not to mention the Monster was heavy and Brian couldn't see around it to steer it.  So, I lead the way with the kids behind me and Brian bringing up the caboose.  The moment my eyes laid eye’s on Mrs. A it took everything I had to not loose it all over again.  Yes, I had just seen her 8 months prior.  But, I was super excited to see her and for her to be there to welcome me to this country.  Yes, first thing we did was hug.  (because I am a hugger!)  Then she gave me some instructions on how to get around to the area where I needed to be to be able to get to their vehicle.  We all get to where we are suppose to be with the A’s and begin putting the carts on an uphill conveyor belt.  Mrs. A is snapping pics of what we all look like from behind with all our carts in tow.  Pretty neat until the conveyor belt stops and all the carts are magnetized to the belt.  So, we can not push the carts anywhere.  We must pick them up to move them.  Yes, Mr. A and Brian must pick up the monster and move it up hill off the belt.  I am not sure how they did that. Then the security guys came and helped the kids and I to get our 3 carts off the belt and up hill.  We were able to fit everything into the A’s van and safely they delivered us and our carry ons to the hotel.  

     Even though I was super stressed, the trip from beginning to end was absolutely amazing.  I allowed my brain to get the best of me,  I was worked up about different things that could go wrong and yet the whole time The Lord took care of everything.  It was perfect.  

                              WE MADE IT! WE MADE IT! WE MADE IT!

Departure Day Part 2

    Now, we are all congregated together behind baggage check-in by a column labeled parking, putting off the inevitable. Guess what?!? I have to take a walk outside to get some fresh cold air.  Yes, I was still nauseated, dizzy, shaking, and so on.  So, I come back in get my oils out and start rubbing them on.  I placed Elevation & Balance behind my ears, Melissa on the back and front of my neck, Digest Zen around my belly button, Baby Jesus Oil on my chest along with Ylang Ylang, Citrus Bliss on my wrist, and popped 3 Peppermint beadlets in my mouth.  Thank you doTerra Essential Oils for making this trip possible.  Within a few moments all my symptoms were fading.  Which helped with the inevitable.  We were about to say "See you later" to our loved ones. So, as I was standing by my mother-in-law she advised it may be better if we stop putting it off and go through security check point so that I can go sit down and relax.  

     Even though I was a hot mess, I am really grateful for The Lord’s call on my husbands life.  I am humbled by my children’s excitement to go to another country and serve The Lord.  Then I embraced my MIL and the tears began to flow as she thanked me for loving her son so much. Thanks Brenda for being here on this special day.  I know that you’re supporting us in every way possible.  Thanks for being an encouragement while we were on deputation.  I know that we haven't always been super close, but thanks to deputation it brought us even closer.  I love you and thank you for being my mother in law.

     Next was my mom.  Whew- what can I say other than what she said which was, "my head completely understands what's going on, but, my heart doesn't.  It hurts really bad and I'm gonna be sad to see y'all go."  I told her, "I understood what she was saying.  She doesn't have to be tough, it's ok to cry, and be sad, but that she needs to take good care of herself."  Thank you mom for being my mom, and for giving me life.  Thank you for allowing me to be the crazy, different, awkward, sporty, total Tomboy, outgoing, sleepy, lazy, crafty, person that I am.  Thank you mom for allowing me to live at your home the last 2 1/2 years of deputation. Thanks for allowing my husband and I to play chef every night we were in town.  (We really loved it! Not only because we love food, yes you can tell, but because we love to cook together.)  If you ever need any of our recipes that we experienced with or created just let us know we will be glad to share.  Thanks for always putting up with our crazy schedule, messy ins and outs, loads of laundry always waiting/having to be done, my husband harassing you about how hot the house was and our use of the front room, extra bathroom, and guest room.  I love you very very much.  

     Then I moved on to my Blue-eyed nephew. I got down on his level and he just planted some kisses on me.  Then he wrapped me up with a big 'ol hug.  I could of stayed there just hugging him all day.  He is normally very quick to give lovin and is off running around again.  Not today we was giving me lots and lots of love.  Thank you BW for being here on this special day and thank you for being so excited, (clueless of what exactly was going on) because JJ needed that.  Love ya!  

     Then on to Miss. Mal-Mal my niece.  She began to give me some sugars and hug on me all the while we were talking about her week. She was very excited about this week because, JCA is having Homecoming this week.  Everyday has a great themed day to dress up to.  She agreed it was way better than any stinkin uniform. Lol! She did so well with her emotions.  Because believe me she fully understands what's going on even if her lil brother doesn't.  Mallie Thank you for coming today and being such a big girl. You're very precious to me. Love you bunches! 

     On to my brother-in-law Adam as we embraced each other he said, "we love y'all very much, and I know y'all are going to do great."  I thanked him for being so good to my sister, niece, and nephew. He takes good care of them, even if Mary says he is tight with his money.  However, she has never gone without. Lol!  Thanks Adam for taking off work this morning to be able to be here for our send off. Love ya!  

     Then on to my father-in-law Doug, AKA Grandpa.  Brian and I are so blessed that he is in our family.  We embraced and he had me promise I would keep in touch by notifying them of all that is going on in our part of the world.  He said, “to go and lead lots of souls to Christ.”  We'll, we sure are going to give it our best.  Thank you Grandpa Doug for coming today and being an extra hour earlier than us because my hubby failed to tell y'all we were running a little behind our goal, which was ok.  But, none the less you where there to help in any way and was super excited for us.  Love you! 

     Now, moving on to my dad.  I'm not sure what to say.  Only because he has never flown before and quite possibly never will.  As we embraced we just cried. I am a DADDY’s GIRL!  I know that he will do everything in his power to get my mom over for a visit within our first term.  But, just not sure if he will be able to come.  So, my heart breaks for that.  But, I know we will be in touch via, text, talk, and e-mail.  I'm sure it will be daily if not more than that.  But, that's fine with me.  Thank you dad for being my dad and for always being there for me.  I really appreciate you offering for us to move in with you all and not having to worry about the up keep and lawn at our “Mansion”. Lol! (That’s what my family called our little trailer that we lived in at the beginning of deputation. ;) It allowed us to have less stress.)  I am glad that my husband loves to stalk you and mom by taking random pics of y'all while you sit and enjoy your electronics.  It sure made me laugh.  By the way there is nothing wrong with enjoying your electronics.  We enjoy ours a lot too.  Just don't forget to visit with mom every now and again. :) I love you so much! See ya soon.  

     Last but not least I had to say see ya later to my best friend and lil sister.  No we were not always super close.  After high school that began to change and it did very quickly.  From hanging out as YP's of JBC to being in each other's weddings, down to doing practically everything together.  (Especially once we had children). I'm not sure how ladies make it in this world without a sister. Which makes me wonder who will our daughters have this kind of relationship with since they don't have a sister.  I guess we must ensure our sons marry some awesome ladies, so that our daughter & daughter-in-law can have this same relationship.  Well, I guess after high school it is ok to be our daughters BFF. :)  So, really all we could do is embrace each other.  While we both recognize it's The Lord's will it isn't easy to accept at this particular point.  Neither of us was very happy with His plans for this day.  Departure day!  D day! Doom day!  Whatever you would like to call this particular day in the closure of deputation or as some call it pre-field ministries, and our beginning of on the field ministries.  Obviously, we know we will be excited when that first Thai person excepts Christ and we will say this day was worth it all, but, not right this second.  I'm not sure how many times we said we loved each other. But, what I realized is I don't say it often enough, especially to my loved ones.  (I will work to change that). Mary, thanks for coming today and being my personal paparazzi, for wearing make-up (not that you don't, but, let's face it the last few days we didn't because we would just wash it off with our tears). Thanks for for cheering us on outwardly while I know inwardly your heart was breaking; all with your kids in tow. Thanks for driving me all the way to North Dallas on Monday for blood work, for buying and bring breakfast out on Tuesday, for coming and helping me attempt to finish packing, then for going to meet Nanny Kay for my Chapstick, and also for coming to dinner on Tuesday evening at Outback.  Which I know would've been easier to just not come to any of these last few activities/family get-togethers.  I love you so very stinkin much! :-)

    I would like to thank the two TSA ladies (I'm pretty sure they have to be in every picture my mom, MiL, or sister took while we went through security) they were so kind and super excited for us.  They asked lots of questions like, where you headed, for how long, what takes you there for that length, what denomination are we, and so on and so forth.  They had contacts or relatives that were missionaries also in South East Asia and were so excited to hear about more Baptist Missionaries heading over there.  They loved our personal fan club. They over heard Mary tell BW that if he ran past the ropes to come where we were that they would arrest him, they both said no they wouldn’t.  They also said he and his sister were so cute they would take them both.  We had no problem at all going through security.  No pat downs, no bags checked, no concern or worry at all.  Thank you Lord for that.  Seriously my stress level must have dropped 5 degrees.  That doesn't happened to us very often, when traveling via airplane.

Departure Day Part 1

We arrived at the airport on 1/29/14 at 7:33am. We were planning to arrive at 6:30. However, Brian was not able to print boarding passes. After several phone calls to the airlines they said that it would be best to arrive 2-3 hours early. No one said to be there any earlier than that. So, since we had been up all night packing and getting our carry-on pieces finished we decided to leave when we finished.  I have to admit this was not the easiest trip to DFW I've ever experienced. 

    We stop by What-A-Burger to get a good Texas breakfast before our flight. Unfortunately, I was unable to eat due to racing heart, dizziness, shaking, just feeling my absolute worst. Just so y'all can imagine what I was feeling it was 18 degrees outside and I had my AC on with a letter/envelope fanning myself to prevent vomiting in my mom's new Durango.  Playing it safe I ordered just a plain biscuit. Anyone in my family could tell you that is not what I eat there. It is normally a 3-way tie in my head on a sausage B.O.B., sausage taquito, or their honey butter chicken biscuit. (If these items don't make sense to you, more than likely your not a Texan, not near a What-A-Burger in the south, or have never experienced greatness. Lol! $) Back to the biscuit I slathered it with grape jelly and took a bite, ugh it was terrible. It immediately sucked the moisture (well, what little bit I had) right outta my mouth.  I just knew I was going to get sick. I grabbed the sack our food came in quickly wrapped up the biscuit and chunked it in there. Then I grabbed my cup of ice water and slammed it down. Trying to prevent any and all things going on within my system.  

    I never actually got sick, maybe just verpped in my mouth a few times. Which I think is just as bad as just vomiting.  For all my Essential Oil peeps out there. I know I should of had my oils. They were in the back in my carry-on already in a quart size bag. (Well, the ones I was taking with me to use on the plane.) The remainder of them were packed nicely in bag #1 of the luggage that was to be checked to go onto the plane.

    As we arrive at DFW airport and terminal D. We pull straight up to the front doors, the Conehead’s in mom's Durango, my parents are behind us pulling an enclosed trailer with all our livelihood in them.  When Brian came to a complete stop, I bailed out as quick as I could, running past my in-laws to get to the nearest bathroom in hopes I don't get ill prior to getting there. Whew- good news is as soon as I hit the cold, cold air outside I could breathe and was not as dizzy. Still moving very briskly to the restroom. I get there and do not get sick at all. After I wash my face, gather my thoughts, and what dignity I had left, I make my way back out to find everyone sitting in the vehicles as Brian goes in to see if they are going to be able to allow all of our bags. I look to my right and here comes The Burney's headed down the escalators inside. Just a waving and all excited to see us. Man, did I really need that.  My sister began cracking pictures of everything going on and everyone doing things.  

     Brian, being the smooth talker he is not only gets several people to help but also is having a good time talking to the employees who we're going to be checking in our baggage and printing our boarding passes. Yeah, remember I mentioned it earlier that we were not successful at doing this at home.  Well, that's because when you fly internationally you can only print at home if all connecting flights are within that 24 hour period. Ours were not.  They not only allowed us to bring all our bags but, they didn't even pay attention to the size or weight. Not that we were worried about the weight. Because I had my dad's scales from the shop and all our bags weighed between 44-48 pounds. It was the dimensions we were concerned with. If they were filled to capacity then the bag would've been about 4 inches bigger than what they allow.  I guess it's because all but 3 of them were duffle bags they really didn't care about their dimensions.  Thank you Korean Air for a very smooth and absolutely stress free baggage check-in process.

First Day of School at JCA

Today Monday August 17, 2009 our day began early so that we can make our Annual Trip to the donut store for breakfast. This year we were able to go to the Dunkin Donuts location in Burleson. Hudson had his favorite sprinkle donut and Faith had the Jelly filled Munchkins. Dad & mom had their usual breakfast crescent.
Hudson is starting Pre-K 4 and his teacher is Mrs. Angela Archer. Faith is starting 1st grade and her teacher is Mrs. Angela Robles. Hudson & Faith both went into their classes put their school supplies and back packs away and then put their lunch box in the proper cubbies. Dad was off to work up the street at JBC and Mom started her journey to work battling tears all the way thinking when does the first day of school get easier. No my kids do not have separation anxiety but their mommy does.
They had an awesome first day of school! Now it is just time for the entire family to get back into a routine for school hours. I will upload pictures of our First Day of School soon-